Cautious approach for Ancelotti

25 November 2009 12:10

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti will rest several of his first-team regulars for Wednesday's Champions League clash against FC Porto.
With both teams already through to the last 16 of the competition with two games to spare, Ancelotti will recall Deco and Michael Ballack to his side, while Branislav Ivanovic, Ricardo Carvalho and Yury Zhirkov are all set to feature.
Didier Drogba is expected to start the game on the substitute's bench alongside Michael Essien, who has a slight knee problem.
'I don't think Michael will start because he has a little problem on his knee and I prefer to keep him on the bench. He is not a problem for Sunday, against Arsenal though, he will play," confirmed Ancelotti.
"Carvalho and Deco will play against Porto. I want to change something, some players, and the players that did not play against Wolves will play - Ivanovic, Carvalho, Deco, Ballack. I think that Zhirkov can play at left-back.
"I don't know about Drogba, maybe he will start on the bench. He is well but I prefer to keep him on the bench.